Russia to supply 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to India

In the last 24 hours, 97,894 new cases have been recorded in India and with that, the total tally has crossed 51-lakh mark. India is currently the second most impacted country from the coronavirus outbreak. To curb the spread of the virus, various measures are being taken. 

All countries are also working hard to develop a vaccine that will help contain the spread of the virus. Russia is the only country at the moment that claims to have achieved some success in this area with its Sputnik V. Now, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited, have announced that they agreed to cooperate on clinical trials and distribution of Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine in India.

Russia has named the vaccine Sputnik V after the first satellite launched by the Soviet Union and it an adenovirus vector-based vaccine. The vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, along with the Russian Direct Investment Fund and registered on August 11.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund said that the deliveries could potentially begin in late 2020 subject registration of the vaccine by regulatory authorities in India. Sputnik V will also have to complete trials before it is made available. The vaccine will be first administered to high-risk people, including health workers.

"On regulatory approval in India, RDIF shall supply to Dr Reddy's 100 million doses of the vaccine. The Sputnik V vaccine, which is based on well-studied human adenoviral vector platform with proven safety, is undergoing clinical trials for the coronavirus pandemic," said a statement from the fund.

Earlier this month, NITI Aayog member, Dr V.K. Paul, had said that the Russian government has sought India's help in manufacturing the Sputnik V vaccine and also to conduct Phase-3 trials or bridging studies in the country.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava also said, "Russia has a good history of vaccine manufacturing hence we assume that this vaccine is also good. There is a dialogue going on between the high-level committees of the governments of India and Russia. We are trying to work out its mechanism."